Jay Duplass and Linas Phillips play your stereotypical disparate brothers. One a responsible family man, the other a hapless dreamer, when Conrad returns from the life on the road to disrupt Nick’s family life, Nick agrees to one last zany idea. Only Conrad’s idea is for them to spend the day on a tour of Manson family tourist spots.

On a micro-budget, Manson Family Vacation is a tremendous success. Looking far out of their production bracket, and with the two stellar talents in Duplass and Phillips acting off against each other, it’s a recipe for success. Phillips’ zaniness is encapsulating and pulls off what could have been a silly, unbelievable character. You’ll hate Conrad – and Nick – at times, but they do enough to bring you back around.

The film is gently funny, if a bit too slow, but the bizarro story line takes it to unexpected places and doing something different in the film industry right now is a much needed thing.

FAN THE FIRE is a digital magazine about lifestyle and creative culture. Launching back in 2005 as a digital publication about Sony’s PSP handheld games console, we’ve grown and evolved now covering the arts and lifestyle, architecture, design and travel.